BREAD AND BUTTER KOHLRABI PICKLES

Ingredients
2 lbs. sliced 1/4 inch kohlrabi
1 Tbsp. kosher/ canning salt
1-1/2 cups Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 Tbsp. whole cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 Tbsp. peppercorns

 Remove stems, leaves and roots of kohlrabi then peel , using a kitchen slicer or knife slice kohlrabi 1/4 inch thick. I chop the leaves up and add them also.

place in bowl and sprinkle with salt 

toss with hands making sure that the salt is evenly distributed

cover and allow to sit in a cool place for about 24 hours


 Drain Kohlrabi 

Combine remaining ingredients in pot and bring to a boil 

Pack kohlrabi into hot jars and cover with liquid to within 1/4" of rim 

place seals and rings on jars and tighten

process in a water bath for about 20 minutes 

These should age for about 2 weeks before eating.

Makes about 6 pint jars

HOMEFAKER CHEESY BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

My mamma made these all the time when we owned our restaurant. They are sooo easy and good, your famly will think you slaved over these.

2 Cups Bisquick
1 Cup water
2 T. sour cream
1/4 Cup shredded cheese(optional)

Mix in a bowl until just combined...don't over mix. Drop by large  spoonfuls onto a butter greased cast iron skillet, or cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. While still warm brush with butter. ENJOY!!!

 

REPURPOSED BOWL SINK

I am in need of a cute sink in my 1963 Shasta Camper. For glamping , I feel the pressure of steppng it up to keep up with all the adorable little campers these girls are putting together. Here is what I came up with. A repurposed/ recycled bowl I had from a previous pitcher and bowl stand.

I ordered a diamond bit  drill blade from Amazon, as they were much cheaper than our local hardware store.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057DOJ98/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

The drain thingy I got from ebay...

 

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-TUB-SHOWER-SINK-TOUCH-DRAIN-CHROME-2-1-2-INCH-COMPLETE-/130661683659?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e6c0b11cb&vxp=mtr

 

And here it is all drilled and done...Note : you must spray water on the drill bit as it is cutting in order to keep the ceramic or glass you are cutting cool and avoid breakage.

 

Here is the Lavabo that will hang on the wall for the water faucet.

 

 

 

ROMANTIC ROSES WEDDING CAKE

Today I created the most beautiful wedding cake. Pink champagne cake with rasberry filling.

The icing is off white Italian buttercream .

I don't usually toot my own horn, but this was a showstopper!

 

PACKER CHEESEHEAD CAKE

STRAWBERRY SOPAPILLAS

Strawberry Sopapillas

Four 8" flour tortillas
(storebought or my homemade recipe here :http://suzyhomefaker.blogspot.com/2013/07/homemade-flour-tortillas.html
1/2 cup Cinnamon and sugar (mixed 50 /50)
Honey
1 can whipped cream
Fresh or frozen strawberries
Vegetable Oil-- enough to give a depth of 1/8" in the skillet.

Heat the oil on Medium heat. Cut the tortillas into wedges with a scissors or pizza cutter( each tortilla should yield 8 wedges). Fry 8 wedges at a time~15 seconds per side to get them to golden brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Give them a generous coating of cinnamon ~sugar mix and then lightly toss to evenly distribute. Add dollops of whipped cream and spoonfuls of strawberries. Drizzle with honey. ENJOY!!!

 

 

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

 

 

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS:

3 cups flour(white or whole wheat)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder1/3 cup oil
1 cup warm water

Combine all ingredients until it forms a dough. Roll into a big ball and take about 1"-2" pieces off. Pat flat with your hands or use a rolling pin. Put on a griddle or cast iron skillet on the stove and let the sides cook until there are little brown spots of goodness..

CHEESE STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup cubed brick cheese
• 1 cup ice water (VERY IMPORTANT TO BE COLD)
• 1 cup Tempura batter mix
• 12 zucchini flowers with stems
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Pour 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy pot and heat to 375 degrees 

In a deep mixing bowl pour in the ice water. Add the Tempura powder and continue to mix until the batter is the consistency of heavy cream. Place 2 cubes of cheese into each blossom, pinch  petal tips closed. Dip 2 zucchini flowers at a time in the batter to coat completely, letting the excess drip off. Fry the flowers in the hot oil for 2 minutes until crisp and golden brown.I love to use a heavy cast iron skillet. Drain the fried flowers on a platter lined with paper towels, season with salt and pepper while they are still hot. Repeat with the remaining zucchini flowers.

I serve mine with a side of ranch dressing for dipping !!



If you cannot find Tempura batter, you can use your favorite fish batter, or here is a homemade recipe for Tempura batter.

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2/3 cup ice water
Directions:
Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg slightly and mix with the ice water. Stir in the dry ingredients, stirring only until mixed; the mixture will be slightly lumpy. Proceed as above for frying.
 

SKILLET HAM AND CHEDDAR CASSEROLE

3 cups Elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup

1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated

2 cups Ham or cubed
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise 

1 cup corn , peas or broccoli
1 cup Panko or ritz crackers crushed

6 slices bacon, cooked and diced (reserve the grease)

Galic salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a large Cast iron skillet. Mix to combine.
 
 
FOR THE TOPPING:

1 C panko bread crumbs
1/4 C butter, melted
2 T. bacon grease
~Grind the Ritz Crackers in a food processor or blender. Mix the crackers/ panko and butter together.

Cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbling.

 

CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE

 1    Box cake mix (any flavor)
1/2 Cup chocolate chips
1    Cup water
3    Eggs
1/2 Cup mayonnaise

 Stir chocolate chips into  dry cake mix, coating all the chips. Mix  together with all remaining  ingredients either by hand or mixer. Pour batter into 2 ~8inch pans that have been greased well.Bake in a  300 degree preheated oven for 45 minutes or until middle is firm. Remove pans and let cool completely before icing. Frost with  your fvorite icing , or try mine at http://suzyhomefaker.blogspot.com/2013/07/best-buttercream-recipe.html

 

FRIED EGG B.L.T.

 Ingredients

• 4 slices bread, lightly toasted
• 2 handfuls lettuce
• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 2 slices cheese(of choice)
• 6 strips bacon, cooked until crispy
• 2 eggs, fried in the bacon grease
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 

Directions

1. Assemble sandwiches and enjoy.

 

 

GLAMPING GLITTER PINK POPCORN

Ingredients

• 10 ~12 cups popped popcorn (about 1 cup kernels unpopped)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons  light corn syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla (or cherry, strawberry  flavoring etc.)
• 3 small drops of pink food coloring(you can use a teaspoon of any red jello mix as a substitute)
• Edible glitter is optional, but I love love love it!!!!! 
• •http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Disco-Dust-5-grams/dp/B002GUXYO6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1373855328&sr=8-3&keywords=edible+glitter+dust

 

Instructions

• Pop up your popcorn. I use my Whirley Pop.
• Set popcorn aside.
• In a  small saucepan add your sugar, milk, corn syrup and salt. Cook over low~medium heat until your sugar dissolves.
• Stir occasionally until it reaches  230 degrees or a soft ball stage and then remove from heat, and add your vanilla (or other flavorings/ Jell-O powder) and food coloring. Stir well.
• Put your popcorn in a large mixng bowl with enough room to stir it really well.
• Now pour your pink mixture over top and stir well to coat all the popcorn.
• Now line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spread the popcorn out to let it dry .If you in a hurry, pop it in the oven at 250 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container.

I feel like a princess eating it. You could make it any color..lavender, baby blue , or make some small multi color batches for a rainbow!

 

 

OVER THE HILL TRUCK AND MOPED CAKE

Today one of our neighbors is celebrating his 40th birthday. Oh how I wish I were only 40 again. His wife said the two loves of his life are his truck and his moped. 

Not knowing what to get a man that has everything, I offered to make is cake for his present. Here is what I came up with....

  

  

 

BEST BUTTERCREAM RECIPE

Ingredients

1	cup Crisco shortening
1	cup butter  softened
1/4	cup evaporated or heavy whipping cream
1	tsp  salt
1	tsp clear vanilla
1/2	tsp almond extract
1	tsp lemon juice
	2 lb. bag of powder sugar 2 heaping  Tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix(powder)   Mix on high speed the butter and Crisco until nice and fluffy(about 5 minutes).   Add the flavorings,  and salt. Turn your mixer speed to the lowest speed and add in the powdered sugar, vanilla pudding mix ,and milk slowly. After adding all powdered sugar  and milk continue mixing on lowest setting 5 to 7 minutes . Refrigerate.